SOBS is excited to announce the start of our Alumni Insight series where we share the successes and advice from recent alumni of the IBS program. Our first alumni is Jessica Schenck PhD who graduated from the Neuroscience program in Spring 2024. Currently, she works as a postdoc at UCSD in the Chrequi lab. She notes that her day-to-day looks a lot like it did in her PhD, but with the addition of opportunities and roles for mentorship and administrative responsibilities. 

When asked what experiences led her to this position she said “My favorite part of my PhD was imaging. I found a postdoc that would allow me to learn new techniques while also granting me access to amazing imaging facilities and collaborations.” She added context to how she determined her career path post-PhD: “My ultimate goal is to work in the translational neuroscience sphere, specifically in San Diego. It was really the job market that determined how that worked out – I decided to get a postdoc in a translational lab with INDs and close industry connections in San Diego.” In terms of career progression Jessica mentions applying to fellowships and grants, and engaging in local scientific chapters to potentially move into an academic professorship; however, Dr. Schenck is also preparing for collaborations with or considering a switch to industry by attending local networking events.  

When asked about PhD skills that prepared her for this new role, she mentioned experimental troubleshooting and understanding how to pick up and introduce new protocols as critical for her position. Although she has always known she was interested in translational neuroscience, she has had a great method of preparing for wherever her career takes her. “I’ve always said that if everything works perfectly, I would love to stay in academia, but that I am aware of the realities of academic life and am open to collaborations or a transition to industry if it makes more sense for my career and family.” Her job search began when she started using LinkedIn more frequently about a year before her predicted defense. When industry jobs weren’t available at that time, she began reaching out to around 20 PIs and did 5 site visits for post-docs. “In my current position, I was offered the position the day after interviewing and started the job the next month. Other positions were looking for a start date 3-6 months down the road. I will note that recruiters started reaching out to ME almost immediately after I defended – if you have the ability and inclination to stay on with your PI for a bit after graduating as a postdoc, that may help your success on the industry job market (plus take the stress off of applying to jobs while defending!). “

Finally, we asked her for some practical advice in combating burnout in the PhD journey. She said: 

“As my PI, Bob Miller, once told me during a particularly low point in my journey: Even the most resilient individuals experience burnout during their PhD. I highly recommend that everyone doing a PhD should see a mental health professional – even if its just once every 6 months to check in. It’s a nice resource to already have established when you’re in the pits. Please, also remember: you’re really the only person who thoroughly reads your dissertation!  Sure, your PI helps edit, and then your committee gives it a go, but then afterwards? Nobody. I really struggled with the “perfect dissertation” and that is just truly unrealistic, time-consuming, and stressful. “

We are very grateful to hear from Dr. Jessica Schenck and are all excited to see how she continues to grow in her career post-PhD. If you have questions for her or want to know more, she has been kind enough to share her email as a resource here: jkschenck@gmail.com